Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles says she is ready to take on U.S. tariffs, and has a plan to protect the income of workers in the province.
Stiles launched her campaign in Toronto on Jan. 29, surrounded by other NDP candidates, as the province is set to hold an election on Feb. 27.
She said she has what it takes to deal with looming U.S. tariffs and negotiating high stake deals. U.S. President Donald Trump has said he will put 25 percent tariffs on exports from Canada unless the country takes action to secure their shared border. That could come as soon as Feb. 1.
“I have bargained and negotiated with multinational American corporations, protecting jobs, supporting Canadian industry, and also winning higher wages and benefits for workers. I am ready to lead that fight for every person in this province,” Stiles said.
Part of the NDP response would be to protect the income of Ontario residents, Stiles told her supporters.
“If Trump goes through with it and tariffs hit you hard, we’re going to take care of you and your family through a strong income protection program.”
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She said she would also look to create partnerships with those inside and outside of Canada to stand up to Trump.
“We have friends … outside of Canada and inside Canada. We need to build those alliances because Donald Trump is going to try and pick us off one by one.”
Stiles has also promised to eliminate tolls on Highway 407.
“So in the first 100 days, I’m going to negotiate a deal to eliminate all the tolls on the 407, so that we can get people back home to their families faster and out of that bumper to bumper traffic, and put some money back in their pockets.”
She also said other priorities for her party include hiring more doctors, building homes, and fixing schools.
Stiles is the MPP for Davenport. She has been a trustee for the Toronto District School Board and the national director of public policy and research for the Alliance of Canadian Cinema and Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA).
Premier Doug Ford called for the dissolution of the legislature on Jan. 28 and called for an early election, saying he needs a new mandate given the looming U.S. tariffs. This means Ontarians will be going to the polls more than a year before the fixed election date of June 2026.
Ford’s Progressive Conservatives have a majority government, with 79 out of 124 seats in Queen’s Park. The NDP have 28, and the Liberals have nine. Six seats are filled by Independent MPPs and the Green Party holds two.
